[SEMCO] Diamondback Terrapin research subject of lecture and field programs

[Melissa Lowe]

MASS AUDUBON HOSTS AUTHOR OF "DIAMONDS IN THE MARSH" IN A LECTURE & FIELD
PROGRAMS

The diamondback turtle is the subject of the new book “Diamonds in the
Marsh: A Natural History of the Diamondback Terrapin.” Author Barbara
Brennessel will be speaking at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife
Sanctuary on Friday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. and holding a book signing. The
program is FREE of charge, but registration is requested.

Synthesizing all known research on this remarkable animal, “Diamonds in the
Marsh” is the first full-scale natural history of the Diamondback terrapin.
Focusing on the Northern Diamondback, Barbara Brennessel examines its
evolution, physiology, adaptations, behavior, growth patterns, life span,
genetic diversity, land use, reproduction, and early years. She also
discusses its relationship to humans, first as an important food source from
colonial times through the nineteenth century, and more recently as a
cultural icon, frequently depicted in Native American art and design. She
concludes with a look at contemporary hazards to the terrapin, and urges
continued study of this marvelous creature.

Barbara Brennessel is a Professor of Biology at Wheaton College. She is a
summer resident of Wellfleet. She shifted her research interests to the
Diamondback terrapin after spending the summer of 2001 researching the
species with Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary where the
Sanctuary Director Bob Prescott has been studying the species for over 20
years.
For more information or to register please contact the Wellfleet Bay
Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615.

You can also join Barbara in a field walk on Saturday, June 24, 10
a.m.-Noon, in search of nesting terrapins. Cost for that program is $12 for
members of Mass Audubon and $14 for non-members. Group size is limited so
register early! Call the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615.

Finally, Barbara will also be assisting Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary Director Bob
Prescott in leading a multi-day field course studying the Diamondback
terrapin. Participants will take part in a mark-recapture project and nest
surveys. There is still space available in this exciting Field School
scheduled for June 15-18. Check out
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay/fieldschools to download a registration
brochure or contact Melissa Lowe, Education Coordinator, at
mlowe at massaudubon.org or 508-349-2615 for more details.

###

The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the west side of Route 6,
immediately north of the Eastham/Wellfleet town line.  Trails are open daily
8 am to dusk.  Sanctuary admission is free for members; $5 adults, $3
children for non-members. Call (508) 349-2615 for information.

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Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator

Massachusetts Audubon Society
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-349-2615 (phone), 508-349-2632 (fax)
mlowe at massaudubon.org

"Protecting the Nature of Massachusetts"
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay